20 qualified micro-entrepreneurs from Dumanjug & Pinamungahan received Livelihood Starter Kits from Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. Microfinance (RAFI-MFI) through their Clustering for Livelihood Program (CLP) during the Turnover Ceremony last June 21, 2022.

The program was initiated to assist the RAFI-MFI clients and their families that were deeply affected by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and Typhoon Odette. The back-to-back crisis was hard enough for families of the greater population - all the more dire for the communities in the small rural areas of Dumanjug and Pinamungajan. Over 50 families were left with damaged homes in their area. To this day, families are still struggling to recover from the losses, especially of their small businesses, due to these disasters.

Seeing this immediate need to assist the families in the said areas, the RAFI-MFI team set out to create a program to equip them with the means to rise back up again. Thus, the Clustering for Livelihood Program (CLP) was born in 2021.

“CLP is an effective approach to help the clients especially to the business owners who were affected by the pandemic and odette so we will be able to provide another additional skills, knowledge and competency to livelihood training, give them marketing support and linkages and provide startup kits to help start their businesses…” stated Jonar B. Dorado, RAFI MFI Chief Operations Officer.

They coordinated closely with Hon. Elly Luague, Counselor of Dumanjug, and the local government units (LGUs) of each venue to make the turnover ceremony possible.

“Wala jud mahitabo kung wala’y kaalam, kahanas, ug kinaiya—mao ni sila ang mga pamaagi para sa kalambuan sa inyong kinabuhi. Maong paningkamot ug fight gyud para sa kalambuan,” Hon. Luage emphasized as she gave her closing statements.

Through the coordinated effort of the LGUs and RAFI-MFI, the Chorizo livelihood kits were successfully awarded to the identified cluster beneficiaries who are in food businesses during the small ceremony held at the program sites.

Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. Microfinance (RAFI-MFI) 

RAFI Partners and Stakeholders

“I hope that this program brings hope and a strong foundation for a productive livelihood journey and economic recovery because of the pandemic,” adds Mr. Dorado.

“Dako kaayo among pag-pasalamat sa RAFI na naay programa na sama niiini na gihatag namo na mga nanay gitagaan mi’g chance para mo elevate sad among mga panginabuhi labi na gayod na agian tag mga sakuna. Wako nag expect ing ani ang RAFI abi nko trainings ra siya pero gitagaan jud mi og kits na makatabang sa among panginabuhi (We have the deepest gratitude for RAFI’s programsprgrams that give mothers like us, a chance to elevate our lives, especially now that we’re still recovering from major crisis. I thought they were only giving trainings, but they went beyond and gave us livelihood kits too),” shared nanay Nelia Gines from Pinamungajan.

With the livelihood kits, the RAFI MFI hopes that the beneficiaries will have enough marketing support and linkages to grow their business, and in effect elevate their lives and that of their families & communities. The kits are only but tools to equip them to sustain & grow their businesses; but at the end of the day, it is up to these microentrepreneurs to take action.

The RAFI MFI organizers capped off the event by bringing home their message of hope & support as “Kaagapays” to the hardworking business-minded people.